TORONTO — The rebound off his own miss inside gave Pascal Siakam a triple-double. And his finish through contact sealed the a critical Raptors late-season victory over a 76ers team they may see again next week in the first round of the NBA playoffs.
Siakam’s 37 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists lifted the Raptors to a 119-114 victory Thursday night at Scotiabank Arena.
It was an entertaining game between two teams who are now even more likely to meet in the postseason. Neither team was at full strength, however. Raptors All-Star point guard Fred VanVleet and starting wing OG Anunoby did not play, while Sixers defensive ace Matisse Thybulle was ineligible to play in Toronto because he is unvaccinated against COVID-19. Thybulle’s length and disruptive defense was missed on a night the Raptors totaled 16 second-chance points and 15 in transition.
